Troops In Baghdad Say Can't Identify Enemy

   From UPI

Published: Feb. 26, 2007 at 10:37 AM

Troops in Baghdad say can't identify enemy

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. and Iraqi soldiers say the Baghdad security plan that began earlier in February has been hindered by the inability of troops to identify violent offenders.

The plan, an increase in U.S. and Iraqi forces in the city designed to suffocate militia and insurgent groups looking to commit bombings and sectarian killings, has proved problematic as soldiers say they have difficulty finding the perpetrators, The Washington Post reported Monday.

"I don't know who I'm fighting most of the time," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Lopez, who is based in the northern outskirts of Baghdad. "I don't know who is setting what IED."

U.S. commanders say that since a brigade of 2,700 U.S. troops arrived in Baghdad to boost the U.S. presence there to 40,000, insurgent activity has increased in the area surrounding Baghdad, leading to worries that the militants are focusing outside the city.

The Post said many Shiite militia members in Baghdad say they are waiting until the troop boost in the city expires to continue violence.

 

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